Sow lactation feeder

ABSTRACT

An on-demand animal feed apparatus is provided comprising a receiving chamber, base tube and actuator. The receiving chamber comprises an upper section to connect to a feed supply, a lower section, and an intermediate section disposed between the upper and lower sections. A base tube is connected to the lower section of the receiving chamber and cooperates with the receiving chamber to define the feed reservoir. A lower portion of the base tube defines a discharge opening for dispensing animal feed. An actuator is disposed at least partially within the base tube and is configured to raise and lower in an axial direction in response to movement by an animal, thereby allowing the transfer of animal feed from the feed reservoir through the discharge opening. The lower section of the receiving chamber defines a relief area for the temporary displacement of animal feed when the actuator is raised or lowered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/035,240 filed on Feb. 25, 2012, and issued as U.S. pat. No. 8,596,218on Dec. 3, 2013. The entire disclosure of the above application isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a mechanism and device forthe storage and on-demand dispensing of feed to animals, and its relatedmethods of use.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

In the conventional raising of farm animals, various methods have beenused in attempts at improved feeding. Certain animals, such as breeding,nursing, and young animals, may have specialized feeding requirementsand other needs. Particular needs may be different between animals,whether it is the quantity of food delivered, the number of feedings perday, the appropriate timing of feedings, and the like. For example, itmay be desired to allow lactating animals, such as sows, to feed ondemand throughout the day, while pregnant sows may only be provided withspecific amounts of feed. Nursing and weaning animals, such as piglets,may have yet additional feeding requirements.

Feed that is not eaten may spoil or be rapidly contaminated and wastedby various means. Wasted feed adds further costs and, of course, isdesired to be avoided. Additionally, feeding mechanisms with qualitycomponents are needed to accommodate aggressive animals. Accordingly,there remains a need for a high quality feeding mechanism that reduceswaste, minimizes contamination and odor, cleans easily, and facilitatesa variable supply of feed to animals as necessary.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an on-demand animal feedapparatus comprising a receiving chamber configured to transfer animalfeed from a feed supply to a feed reservoir. The receiving chambercomprises an upper section to connect to the feed supply, a lowersection, and an intermediate section disposed between the upper andlower sections. A base tube is connected to the lower section of thereceiving chamber. The base tube has an upper portion that cooperateswith the receiving chamber to define the feed reservoir, and a lowerportion defining a discharge opening for dispensing animal feed. Anactuator is provided disposed at least partially within the base tubeand configured to raise and lower in an axial direction in response tomovement by an animal, thereby allowing the transfer of animal feed fromthe feed reservoir through the discharge opening. The lower section ofthe receiving chamber defines a relief area for the temporarydisplacement of animal feed when the actuator is raised or lowered.

In another aspect, the feed apparatus comprises a receiving chamberconfigured to transfer animal feed from a feed source to a feedreservoir where the receiving chamber defines a relief area for thetemporary displacement of feed. A base tube is provided coupled to thereceiving chamber to define the feed reservoir. At least a portion ofthe base tube comprises a tapered cylindrical cross-section fordispensing a predetermined dosage of animal feed. An actuator isdisposed at least partially within the base tube and is configured toraise and lower in an axial direction in response to movement by ananimal, thereby allowing the on-demand transfer of animal feed from thefeed reservoir through a discharge opening of the base tube. Theactuator comprises an upper bobber portion for bridging feed from thefeed reservoir through the base tube, a center section, and a lowersealing portion configured to selectively seal the discharge opening.

The present disclosure also provides a feed apparatus comprising areceiving chamber configured to transfer animal feed from a feed sourceto a feed reservoir where the receiving chamber defines a relief areafor the temporary displacement of feed. A base tube is provided coupledto the receiving chamber to define the feed reservoir. At least aportion of the base tube comprises a tapered cylindrical cross-sectionfor dispensing a predetermined dosage of animal feed. An actuator isdisposed at least partially within the base tube and is configured toraise and lower in an axial direction in response to movement by ananimal, thereby allowing the on-demand transfer of animal feed from thefeed reservoir through a discharge opening of the base tube. Theactuator comprises at least one sealing portion disposed within the feedreservoir and connected to a stem portion extending through an entirelength of the base tube and continuing a distance past the dischargeopening.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an animal feed apparatus of thepresent disclosure including a side elevation view of an actuationmember of one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an animal feed apparatus of thepresent disclosure including a side elevation view of an actuationmember of a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view including hidden aspects of a receivingchamber of an animal feed apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view including hidden aspects of the receivingchamber of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view including hidden aspects of a base tubemember of an animal feed apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view including hidden aspects of the base tubemember of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the base tube member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a magnified partial view of the bottom portion of the basetube member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an actuator member foruse with an animal feed apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the actuator member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an actuatormember for use with an animal feed apparatus of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the actuator member of FIG. 11.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth,including examples of specific components, devices, and methods in orderto provide an understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details neednot be employed, that example embodiments may be modified in manydifferent ways, and that the examples should not be construed to limitthe scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-knownprocesses, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies arenot described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures herein. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present technology and disclosurerelate to an on-demand animal feed apparatus 10 for dry particulatefeeds, as well as related methods of operation. The apparatus is animalactivated and gravity induced. The term “animal feed apparatus,” inaccordance with the present disclosure, is not intended to be limited toany particular physical configuration. As shown, the animal feedapparatus 10 may include a plurality of components, such as a base tubemember 12, a receiving chamber 14, and an actuating member 16, 18. Aswill be described in more detail below, preferably the animal feedapparatus 10 is designed to trickle, or dispense feed in one or morecontrolled amounts, for example, generally between about 0.01 and about0.1 lbs, or between about 0.02 and about 0.05 lbs each time theapparatus is actuated. It is envisioned that in certain aspects, thefeed may be also dispensed in terms of controlled volume. The term“feed” is used herein to refer to food suitable for consumption by ananimal; it is intended to generically include solid materials that canbe fed to any one of numerous species of animals including, withoutlimitation, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, horses, farm animals, zoo animals,and the like. It is envisioned that various forms of feed may be usedwith the animal feed apparatus 10 of the present disclosure, includingcrumble sized feed, pellet feed, mash feed, grit feed, powder feed, andother similar types of feed commonly provided to animals.

The exemplary animal feed apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated with aplunger-type actuator component 16, and is particularly useful withpellet type feed or larger type granule feeds having a particle sizewith an average diameter of about 0.2 inches or greater. The exemplaryanimal feed apparatus of FIG. 2 is illustrated with a bobber-typeactuator component 18, and is particularly useful with mash, grit,powder, or generally smaller type granule feeds having an averagediameter of less than about 0.2 inches. It is envisioned that the animalfeed apparatus 10 is designed with a generic type base tube member 12and receiving chamber 14 that can be used with an interchangeable typeof actuator 16, 18. For example, if one wants to change feed types (frompellet to mash), all that needs to be done is replace the actuator forthat type of feed, the base tube 12 and relief chamber 14 stay the same.

In various aspects, the components of the animal feed apparatus 10 maybe made of any of a number of types of durable, rigid plastic materials.Non-limiting examples of suitable plastics include polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene(HDPE), and the like. If desired, the plastics may optionally beprovided with various additives, fillers, colorants, and the like. Incertain aspects, it may be desirable to fabricate certain components,such as the base tube, out of a clear or transparent color plastic sothat one can see the interior of the feeding apparatus without having todisassemble anything. Various components may include knownspecially-compounded PVC, which increases resistance to ultravioletlight and resistance to wear. The components may be formed by any numberof conventional plastic fabrication techniques including, but notlimited to, injection molding, thermal forming, blow molding, rotationalmolding, and other plastics and forming techniques familiar to thoseskilled in the art of plastic fabrication and mass production. Theanimal feed apparatus 10 may also include metal or other non-plasticcomponents as desired or necessary for strength, connection means, orother purpose.

Receiving Chamber

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, including hidden aspects, of an exemplaryreceiving chamber, or relief cap 14, of an animal feed apparatus 10 ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a side plan view, including hiddenelements, of the receiving chamber 14 of FIG. 3. As best shown in FIG.4, the receiving chamber 14 may be described, in a non-limiting manner,as having three main portions, or sections. The receiving chamber 14 maybe made of a single, monolithic component or may include two or moreparts joined together. The upper section 20 of the receiving chamber 14may be used to connect the animal feed apparatus 10 to a feed supply,such as an auger or feed tube (not shown). The upper section 20 isillustrated as having a generally cylindrical shape and its inner wall22 may be provided with a slight taper or angle to allow for a slip-fittype of connection to the feed supply tube, which is typically connectedto an auger-type fill system known in the art. Optional mechanicalfastening means may also be provided to secure the feed supply tube tothe upper section 20. The upper section 20 may be provided with anoptional extending wall 24, or seat, upon which the end of an auger orfeed supply tube may rest. It should be understood that the specificdesign of the upper section 20 is not limiting, and it may be configuredto have numerous shapes to allow for an appropriate connection to adesired food supply or food source.

An intermediate section 26 is shown provided with a substantiallyinverted frusto-conical shaped interior wall 28 that may serve as atransition area to moderate the flow of feed from the feed supply tubearea to a narrower inner delivery tube 30 portion of a lower section 32of the receiving chamber 14. The transition area of the intermediatesection 26 also serves to store a certain amount of feed prior to entryinto a feed reservoir, and its ultimate dispensing to the animal.Although other potential configurations may be used, in certain casesthe angle of the transition area at reference point A may between about70° and about 80°; preferably the angle is about 77°. The length of thisintermediate wall section may vary depending upon the ultimate feedparticle size, or alternatively, may be proportional to the innerdiameter of the base tube.

In certain embodiments, the inner delivery tube portion 30 of the lowersection 32 may be provided with a uniform inner diameter (D). In otherembodiments, however, inner delivery tube portion 30 may be providedwith a slight taper, wherein the inner diameter slightly decreases froman upper portion to a lower portion of the lower section 32. Althoughother potential configurations may be used, in certain cases the angleat reference point B may between about 85° and about 95°; preferably theangle is about 89°.

The lower section 32 of the receiving chamber 14 further defines anopening for a relief area 34 between the inner delivery tube 30 and theinner surface 36 of the receiving chamber cylindrical outer wall 38. Asshown, the delivery tube 30 may be concentric or substantiallyconcentric with the receiving chamber's cylindrical outer wall 38. Therelief area 34 is shown disposed between the inner delivery tube 30 andthe cylindrical outer wall 38. The relief area 34 may extend from thebottom edge 40 of the receiving chamber 14 and continue up to thehorizontal or angled extending wall area 24 separating the upper section20 from the intermediate section 26. As will be described in more detailbelow, the relief area 34 may provide an open space for a certain amountof the feed to temporarily retreat, or displace, when an actuator islifted, and may relieve the actuator 16, 18 of at least some of theweight of the feed stored above it, making it easier for the animal toraise. In various aspects, the outer wall 38 of the receiving chamber 14may be provided, for example, with a uniform thickness of about 0.125inches, depending on the selected material and intended use, and maytypically be provided with a uniform outer diameter (D_(o)). Thereceiving chamber 14 may also be provided with one or more protrusions42 that can serve as a suitable anchoring mechanism for the removableconnection of the receiving chamber 14 to the base tube component 12.

Base Tube

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, including hidden elements, of an exemplarybase tube component 12 of an animal feed apparatus 10 of the presentdisclosure; FIG. 6 is a side plan view, including hidden elements, ofthe base tube 12 of FIG. 5. As shown, the base tube component 12includes an upper connecting portion, or first portion 44, operable forcoupling to the receiving chamber 14, and a lower tubular portion, orsecond portion 46, for transferring and ultimately dispensing the feedto an animal. Removable coupling of the base tube 12 and the receivingchamber 14 may be accomplished using various types of attachment orlocking systems as known in the art. In the embodiment illustrated, theprotrusions 42 of the receiving chamber 14 are aligned with slots 48formed within the substantially cylindrical wall 50 of the upperconnecting portion 44. Once lowered within the wall 50, the receivingchamber 14 may be rotated counterclockwise to a locking position. Theremovable coupling of the base tube 12 and the receiving chamber 14allows for easy disassembly of the apparatus for cleaning, and furtherallows for the easy insertion or removal of the actuator 16, 18. Forexample, once the receiving chamber 14 is removed, the actuator 16, 18can simply be inserted into (or removed from) the base tube 12 withoutdisturbing any other components of the apparatus.

The inverted frusto-conical wall 60 of the upper connecting portioncooperates with the receiving chamber 14 to define a feed reservoir 62as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. Although other potential configurationsmay be used, in certain cases the angle of the conical wall 60 atreference point C may between about 110° and about 120°; preferably theangle is about 115°.

In the example embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the internaltubular wall 52 may be provided with a slight taper. For example, thebase tube 12 would be provided with a tapered cylindrical cross-section,wherein the inner diameter slightly decreases from an upper end 54 to alower end 56 of the base tube 12. The outer, exposed portion of the basetube 12 may be provided with a uniform outer diameter. Although otherpotential configurations may be used, in certain cases the angle of thetaper may between about 0.1° and about 2°; preferably the angle is about1.33°. In certain aspects, the length of this lower tubular portion 46may vary, depending upon the predetermined dosage that is to bedispensed to the animal. It is envisioned that the interior shape may bedecreasing cubical or pyramidal as opposed to decreasing conical asshown. The thickness (T) of the tubular wall 52 may range between about0.125 inches at the upper end 54 region of the base tube and about 0.5inches at the lower end 56 of the base tube 12. In various aspects, thetubular portion 46 of the base tube 12 may be provided with a lengthsuch that the volume of the interior of the base tube 12 acts as a meterto provide a measured or readily ascertainable amount of feed duringeach disbursement. In certain aspects, the base tube 12 may beadjustable in length. By way of example, the base tube 12 may be made oftwo or more tubular portions, of various sizes, threaded or otherwisemechanically joined together.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the base tube 12 of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is amagnified partial view of the bottom portion of the base tube 12. Asbest shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of the base tube 12 may be optionallybe provided with an inwardly extending sealing lip, or retaining edge58, at the discharge opening end. Such an extending edge 58 can serve asa seat or stop mechanism to support a bobber-type actuator, as will bediscussed in more detail below. It may also serve to seal the dischargeopening when the bobber-type actuator is in a rest position, preventingfurther release of feed.

Actuators

The actuator member 16, 18 is configured to raise and lower in responseto actuation by an animal, for example, via the snout of a pig, therebyallowing the transfer of feed to trickle or flow from the feed reservoir62 through the base tube 12 and exiting through the discharge opening59. It is envisioned that such actuation may be from the trainedmovement of an animal. In various aspects, the movement of actuator 16,18 is generally in an axial or linear manner. In other words, rotationgenerally does not result in actuation that dispenses feed. In this way,moisture or contamination is less likely to enter the feed reservoirarea that may otherwise lead to spoiling, or allow food to sticktogether and potentially blocking the passages.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plunger-type actuator 16 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 10 is a side plan view ofFIG. 9. As noted above, a plunger-type actuator 16 may be most usefulwith pellets and larger type granular feeds.

The plunger 16 of FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided with a sealing portion 64and a stem portion 66. In various embodiments, the stem portion 66 maybe a hollow tube, connected to the sealing portion 64 at one endopposing an actuating portion 68 at the other end. The plunger 16 may bea unitary component or may comprise a plurality of components joinedtogether. The sealing portion 64 may comprise a conical surface 70.Although other potential configurations may be used, in certain casesthe angle of the conical surface 70 as indicated by reference point Dmay between about 50° and about 60°; preferably the angle is about 54°.The sealing portion 64 may also be provided with one or more sealingmembers, or ribs 72, 74. In use, the plunger 16 is located in the basetube 12, wherein the lowermost sealing rib 74 rests and sealinglyengages the opening of the tube portion as indicated by reference number76. The stem extends through the entire length of base tube 52 andextends a distance past the discharge opening 59. The sealing portion 64is located within the feed reservoir 62 and is operable to move in anaxial direction between the bottom of the delivery tube 30 of thereceiving chamber 14 and the top of the tube opening 76 of the base tube12. In various embodiments, the relief chamber is designed such that thesealing portion 64 does not come into contact with the inner deliverytube 30 at all, even when in a fully raised position due to axialmovement of the actuator by the animal. In the raised position, apredetermined dosage of feed from the feed reservoir 62 is allowed totrickle around the sealing portion 64 and is transferred down the basetube out the discharge opening 59 to the animal. During axial movementof the plunger 16, a certain amount of feed is also permitted totemporarily move within the relief gap area 34 as described above.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bobber-type actuator 18 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 12 is a side plan view ofFIG. 11. As noted above, a bobber-type actuator 18 may be most usefulwith mash, grit, powder, or generally smaller type granular feeds. Asbest shown in FIG. 12, the actuator 18 may be described as having threemain portions, or sections. The upper section, or bobber portion 80, ofthe actuator 18 is configured to move both axially and radially tobridge feed from the feed reservoir 62 and through the base tube. Asshown, the bobber portion 80 may be provided with a substantially flattop portion 82 and a frusto-conical wall 84. Although other potentialconfigurations may be used, in certain cases the angle of thefrusto-conical wall 84 as indicated by reference point E may betweenabout 70° and about 75°; preferably the angle may be about 73°. In orderto allow the desired flow of feed through the base tube, the widest partof the bobber portion 80 has an outer diameter 86 smaller than an innerdiameter of the adjacent surrounding base tube. For example, in certainembodiments, the outer diameter 86 of the bobber portion 80 may be fromabout 70% to about 85% of the size of the base tube inner diameter inthe adjacent area. This provides a suitable gap for feed to travel. As anon-limiting example, a gap from about 0.1 inches to about 0.3 inchesmay be provided between the bobber and the base tube, depending on feedparticle size and the desired flow of feed.

As shown, the center section 88 of the actuator 18 may be provided witha substantially hourglass-type shape, and may define an intermediateholding area 93 (as best shown in FIG. 1) between the actuator 18 andthe base tube 12 to hold a predetermined amount of feed. The upperbobber portion 80 of the actuator defines a first outer diameter 86 andthe lower sealing portion defines a second outer diameter 96. The areabetween the first and second outer diameters defines the intermediateholding area 93 for feed. The size, shape, and length of the centersection 88 may be selected based on the predetermined dosage of feeddesired. For example, the shape of the center section 88 defines aspecific volume of the intermediate holding area 93 that willtemporarily hold feed prior to being discharged. A holding area 93 witha larger volume will temporarily store more feed for discharge than aholding area 93 with a smaller volume. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, theactuator may be provided with a center section 88 including an upperportion 90 having an inverted frusto-conical surface, and a lowersealing portion 92 having a frusto-conical surface. The upper portion 90and lower portion 92 may be separated by a tubular middle portion 94.The length of the middle portion 94 may influence the volume of feed inthe holding area 93. Thus, in certain aspects, it may be desirable tohave an actuator where the length of the middle portion 94 isadjustable. As a non-limiting example, the actuator 18 may comprise twocomponents threaded together, where the length of the middle portion 94can be increased or decreased. The widest part of the lower sealingportion 92 may include an annular sealing lip 96 that sealingly engagesthe base tube 12 and may rest on edge 58. In various aspects, the lowersealing portion 92 is configured to maintain the bobber portion 80 in asubstantially centered position within the base tube. The lowest section98 of the actuator 18 comprises a generally cylindrical wall with a flatend portion 100. This lowest section 98 extends a distance from thedischarge opening 59 of the base tube 12 sufficient to provide anexposed length for an animal to actuate.

The present disclosure also provides a method for providing on-demandfeed to an animal. The method comprises coupling a receiving chamber anda tapered base tube that cooperate to define a feed reservoir. Themethod includes providing an actuator member disposed at least partiallywithin the base tube and configured to raise and lower in an axialdirection. Animal feed is transferred from a feed source to a feedreservoir, and the animal is allowed to control the movement of theactuator member for on-demand discharge of a predetermined dosage offeed from the feed reservoir. In various aspects, the method includesproviding a relief area in fluid communication with the feed reservoirallowing for the temporary displacement of a resultant portion of feedin the feed reservoir that is moved as a result of axial actuatormovement.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An on-demand animal feed apparatus comprising: areceiving chamber configured to transfer animal feed from a feed supplyto a feed reservoir, the receiving chamber comprising an upper sectionto connect to the feed supply, a lower section, and an intermediatesection disposed between the upper and lower sections; a base tubeconnected to the lower section of the receiving chamber, the base tubehaving an upper portion that cooperates with the receiving chamber todefine the feed reservoir, and a lower portion defining a dischargeopening for dispensing animal feed; and an elongated actuator disposedat least partially within the base tube along a length of the base tubeand having a distal end extending out of a distal end of the base tubeto an exterior of the apparatus, the actuator being configured to raiseand lower in an axial direction in response to direct contact of thedistal end of the elongated actuator and movement of the actuator by ananimal, thereby allowing an on-demand transfer of the animal feed fromthe feed reservoir through the discharge opening, wherein, even whenfeed is provided in the receiving chamber to a level above the lowersection, the lower section of the receiving chamber includes a reliefarea defining a void above the actuator where no feed is present betweenmovements of the actuator by the animal, and wherein the relief areaenables a temporary upward displacement of the animal feed into the voidof the relief area when the actuator is raised, wherein the receivingchamber restricts passage of the elongated actuator through thereceiving chamber and the base tube restricts passage of the elongatedactuator through the base tube, wherein the receiving chamber includes acoupling member and the base tube includes a cooperating couplingmember, and wherein the coupling member and cooperating memberreleasably couple the receiving chamber to the base tube to permitinsertion and removal of the elongated actuator from the base tube whenthe base tube is uncoupled from the receiving chamber, and wherein thereceiving chamber comprises a cylindrical outer wall and the lowersection of the receiving chamber comprises an inner delivery tube insideof and substantially concentric with the cylindrical outer wall.
 2. Theanimal feed apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relief area including thevoid is disposed between the inner delivery tube and the cylindricalouter wall of the receiving chamber.
 3. The animal feed apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the actuator does not contact the inner delivery tubewhen the actuator is in a raised position due to axial movement of theactuator by the animal.
 4. The animal feed apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate section of the receiving chamber comprises asubstantially inverted conical shaped interior wall.
 5. The animal feedapparatus of claim 1, wherein axial movement of the actuator by theanimal results in the transfer of a predetermined dosage of the animalfeed from the feed reservoir through the discharge opening.
 6. Theanimal feed apparatus of claim 5, wherein the predetermined dosagecomprises between about 0.02 lbs and about 0.05 lbs.
 7. The animal feedapparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises at least onesealing portion disposed within the feed reservoir and connected to astem portion extending through an entire length of the base tube andcontinuing a distance past the discharge opening.
 8. The animal feedapparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one sealing portion of theactuator comprises a conical surface with at least one sealing ribconfigured to sealingly engage an opening of the base tube.
 9. Theanimal feed apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises anupper bobber portion for bridging feed from the feed reservoir throughthe base tube, and a lower sealing portion configured to selectivelyseal the discharge opening.